I've been trying to build one big line for about 10 years, and the process is daunting. We need to streamline this.

Punishing the domestic oil and gas industry will not bring the age of renewable energy any faster.

I think that we have to take every reasonable opportunity to promote clean, alternative sources of energy.

The country needs a plan that will result in the construction of new transmission lines to these renewable energy-rich zones.

Several years ago I introduced legislation that would enhance and build the stream monitoring gauges in the State of Alaska.

So I'm pleased to see that we're placing this emphasis on the water use efficiency.

I think we're all interested in the connection between the two.

But this goes back to my question in the first round is there what needs to be done from the Federal policy.

I think we recognize that an energy technology that is cheap to produce and has zero emissions is useless if it's really going to consume more water than we can supply.

I truly believe that we're going that way. When you understand how all that we're trying to do as we move to this new world of renewables and recognizing that you can't get there from here without significant water.

To know that where we're starting the process is concerning.

Just very quickly Ms. Wince-Smith. You mentioned just the investment and recognizing that the current investment markets are in pretty tough shape.

I would urge a level of expediency and absolute urgency. Because otherwise we will as a country by shutting the door on nuclear which I think would be irresponsible.

If we're going to be the leader in energy technology investment, in R and D, is a must.

It's important. It has to happen.

So hopefully with the support of this proposal we'll be able to bring the two together to meet our future energy work force needs.

This increase in my mind anyway, is a necessary one.

I appreciate your openness and your being here this morning.

Nuclear has got to be part of the solution as we work to reduce our emissions.

It is something that I think we've got to really focus, not only on the definition but what the goal is.

I think the word that you used was that the States are good laboratories. I would certainly agree with that.

Our challenge then is to figure out how we attract, how we retain new workers in those fields.

Thank you to Chairman Bingaman for convening this hearing on the timely topic of Smart Grid.

Smart Grid is not the build out of miles and miles of high voltage transmission line.

It was just last week that Secretary of Energy Chu cited the lack of standards and protocols necessary to allow different systems to communicate with one another as the biggest roadblock in the advancement of smart grid technology.